Indoor fan filter

ABSTRACT

One or two filters in brackets are integrated with a square or circular fan. Filters and associated brackets are provided both in the front and in the rear of the fan in one embodiment. In another embodiment, a single filter in a bracket is provided at the rear of the fan. The filter(s) can be pre-pleated and pre-activated carbon filter(s). The fan housing can include a pocket for adding an odorizing and/or deodorizing agent. A plurality of stick-on right-angled brackets having the capacity of adjustable clearance to snugly hold the filters is another embodiment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Serial No. 60/218,826, filed Jul. 18, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to fan filters. Morespecifically, the invention is the addition of one or two filters inbracket frames, stick-on brackets or clips integrated with a square orcircular fan and having a side pocket for elements to odorize oreliminate odors. The filter(s) can include a pre-pleated charcoalelement. A 24 hour and 7 day programmable timer can be added to the linecord.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] The related art of interest describes various fan filters, butnone discloses the present invention. There is a need for an effectiveand economical fan filter for especially square-framed fans which can bereadily replaced in added frames or held to the frame by stick-onbrackets or clips. The related art will be discussed in the order ofperceived relevance to the present invention.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,526 issued on Nov. 1, 1988, for Clarence Meaddescribes a fan-filter combination comprising a filter affixed to therear of a fan unit by a parallel bracketing structure (screwed on) intowhich the filter is slidingly receivable from either above or belowbecause the parallel brackets are several inches short of the top andbottom of the fan unit. The 20 inch square furnace filter has twoperforated metal sheets and a cardboard frame supporting the filtersheet. A first embodiment consists of two parallel U-shaped brackets. Asecond embodiment consists of integrating the grille and brackets. Athird embodiment consists of a separate metal frame with leg portionsintegrated with the fan unit by screws. The fan-filter combination isdistinguishable for relying on its limited bracket coverage and the useof filters with double metal sheets.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,045,329 issued on Apr. 4, 2000, for Randy Sobaladescribes a fan filter for the rear and sides of a circular or squarefan comprising a stretchable polypropylene fabric having two centralopenings for attachment by hook and loop fastening. The fan filter isdistinguishable for lacking a rigid frame.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,030,427 issued on Feb. 29, 2000, for James Soriceet al. describes a replaceable air filter apparatus comprising a framefor affixing the apparatus to a house duct work associated with theheating and/or air conditioning system. A register is hinged to insertthe filter. The air filter apparatus is distinguishable for beinglimited to a house duct work and requiring a hinged register.

[0009] P.C.T. Patent Application No. WO 00/00775 published on Jan. 6,2000, for Toshio Tanaka et al. describes a local cleaning type aircleaner comprising a wall installed circular fan having an air filter.The air cleaner device is distinguishable for requiring a grill in frontof the filter inlaid in a casing.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,719 issued on Nov. 25, 1997, for Joseph Hodgedescribes a filter apparatus for a forced air system duct containing aself-charging electrostatic filter layer and a second activated charcoalfilter layer behind a grill. The filters are made of woven polypropylenematerial. The wall mount has a supporting frame and a securing lock. Thefilter apparatus is distinguishable for being located remotely from thefan.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,563 issued on Nov. 12, 1996, for Horace L.Odom et al. describes a micro-rotary screener apparatus comprising amulti-blade rotating air lock within a cylindrical shell having twoscreens attached directly to the odd numbered blades. The first screenis fine mesh stainless steel. The second screen has a larger mesh size.The particles from the screens are collected in a bin adjacent thescreens. The apparatus is distinguishable for requiring two stainlesssteel mesh screens and a collection box.

[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,525,145 issued on Jun. 11, 1996, for Joseph Hodgedescribes a filtering apparatus for a forced air duct grill comprising aself charging electrostatic filter magnetically attachable directly infront of a grill at an end of a cold air return or supply of a forcedair system. Two open work plates which can be decorated are positionedon either side of the filter. The filtering apparatus is distinguishablefor requiring the two open work plates and an electrostatic filter.

[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,593 issued on Jun. 25, 1996, for Jesse K.Simmons describes a filter screen assembly for use with an air intakeunit comprising a flexible screen provided as a roll wound onto aspindle. The filter screen assembly is distinguishable for its woundroll feature.

[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 4,477,272 issued on Oct. 16, 1984, for Craig E.Hollis et al. describes a soft and pliable circular fan filter mountedon the rear side of the cage of a household fan by two sets ofdrawstrings. The fan filter is distinguishable for its attachment to thefan by drawstrings.

[0015] U.S. Design Patent No. 420,117 issued on Feb. 1, 2000, for StevenS. Gieseke et al. describes a circular ornamental coalescer filterhaving an off-center circular grille mounted on a rear plate having atop brace and a pair of canted feet. The device is distinguishable forits asymmetrical filter.

[0016] U.S. Design Patent No. 408,513 issued on Apr. 20, 1999, forDwayne E. Reede describes a filter with a central aperture for a roundfan attachable to the front of the fan with a fold over element. Thefilter is distinguishable for wrapping around the front of a round fan.

[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 5,904,744 issued on May 18, 1999, for Anton Kagandescribes a peripheral fan filter for reducing vibration of round fanssuch as ceiling fans, diffusers and other conventional round fans. Thefilter has four hook and loop fastening regions around the peripherywith three of them involving a hook-threaded sheet and pawl teeth. Thefan filter is distinguishable for its peripheral attachment with variouselements.

[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 5,868,189 issued on Feb. 9, 1999, for Robin A.Jarvis describes a protective storage cover for a portable circularelectric fan. The cover for the grille has snaps or two-way zippers forattachment and removal. The cover is distinguishable for its storagefeature and fasteners.

[0019] P.C.T. Patent Application No. WO 97/10479 published on Mar. 20,1997, for David A. West describes a fan air filter screen for a circularfan having a filter guard shaped as a split doughnut with openings infront and the rear and tied together on the fan guard. The device isdistinguishable for its split doughnut structure.

[0020] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly orin combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The invention is directed to the addition of one or two thickfilters in integral or removably affixed brackets or clips to either asquare or circular fan. The invention includes one filter in the rear inone embodiment, and in a second embodiment two filters, one in the frontand one in the rear. A side pocket for adding agents to odorize oreliminate odors is added on one bracket. The filter(s) can include apleated preactivated charcoal element.

[0022] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provideat least one filter for integration with a square or circular fan.

[0023] It is another object of the invention to provide front and rearbrackets for a square fan to attach two filters.

[0024] It is a further object of the invention to provide a front and/ora rear bracket for a square fan having a pocket for inserting adeodorizing or odorizing agents.

[0025] Still another object of the invention is to provide a fan with anactivated charcoal filter.

[0026] Yet another object of the invention to provide a plurality ofstick-on brackets or clips to hold an air filter adjacent an indoor fan.

[0027] It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements andarrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which isinexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing itsintended purposes.

[0028] These and other objects of the present invention will becomereadily apparent upon further review of the following specification anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an indoor square fan with a rearfilter partially exposed from its bracket and having a side pocket foradding odorizing or deodorizing agents according to a first embodimentof the present invention.

[0030]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of an indoor square fan withfilters on both sides in brackets and a front fan grill according to asecond embodiment of the present invention.

[0031]FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of an indoor square fan withfilters on both sides in brackets and a rear fan grill positionedbetween the rear filter and the fan housing according to a thirdembodiment of the present invention.

[0032]FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a filter bracket having hookor loop fastening strips for attachment to a fan housing equipped withloop or hook fastening strips as a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0033]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a stick-on bracket with anadjustable filter thickness feature for holding filters of differentthicknesses onto the fan.

[0034]FIG. 6 is an environmental perspective view of a fan having afilter held by the stick-on brackets and a timer control installed inthe fan's electric cord.

[0035] Similar reference characters denote corresponding featuresconsistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] The present invention is directed to a fan filter system forsquare or round indoor fans comprising a square or round fan having ahousing with front and rear sides.

[0037] In FIG. 1, a first embodiment 10 is shown for attaching a singlefilter 12 to the rear of the box fan 14 in a peripheral metal or plasticbracket 16. The bracket 16 has a top opening 18 and a central opening(hidden) for passage of the effluent air for attachment to the rear side20 between the rear grill 39 and the body of the box fan 14. A thicksquare filter sheet 22 supported by a cardboard or plastic frame isinserted in the bracket 16. The filter sheet 22 may include, but is notlimited to, filter media of spun glass fiber, a charcoal filter having aporous media impregnated with activated charcoal, or a pre-pleated andpre-activated carbon filter for removing cigarette smoke, strong acidsand strong bases, and dust. The filter sheet 22 can have a supportingplastic or metal grid 24 on one or both sides of the thick filter sheet22. The filter sheet 22 can be 1 to 2 inches thick. When the filter 12becomes fouled with contaminants, it can be washed and replaced in thebracket 16. A side pocket or drawer 38 (FIG. 1) in the frame of the boxfan 14 is provided for adding an odorizing or deodorizing agent. Otherstructural parts of the depicted fan 14 are the on/off push button andspeed regulator switch 26, the fan blades 28, the front grill 30, andthe electric cord and plug 32.

[0038] It is to be noted that a circular fan is not shown, but can havea circular bracket with an apertured and split filter for attachment tothe rear surface of the grid cage by hook and loop fastening and thelike or can be made integral during manufacture.

[0039] In FIG. 2, a second embodiment fan 34 is illustrated in a sideview to include a second peripheral and apertured bracket 36 and filter12 between the front grill 30 and the body of the fan 34. Thus, aconstruction is shown with filters for both sides of the fan. Theconstruction is particularly useful with bidirectional fans.

[0040] In FIG. 3, a third embodiment fan 35 includes the front bracket36 and filter 12 between the front grill 30 and the body of the box fan14 and the addition of the rear bracket 16 to the rear fan grill 39. Theside pocket or drawer 38 and the on/off switch and speed control 26 areincluded.

[0041] In FIG. 4, a fourth embodiment bracket 40 is shown fabricated bya top channel piece 42 having a slot 44, a bottom channel piece 46, andtwo channel side pieces 48 joined by fasteners 52 and having four hookor loop fastening strips 50 on the aforementioned channel pieces.Cooperating loop or hook fastening strips 50 would be attached to thebody of the box fan 14. In the alternative, clips (not shown) can beused in place of the hook and fastening strips 50. Thus, it has beenshown that the bracket 16 in FIGS. 1 to 3 can be fastened by screws orhook and loop strips 50 to the box fan 14.

[0042]FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a fifth embodiment 54 of a filterattachment system, wherein a plurality of stick-on brackets 56 areapplied to each side of a box fan 14, e.g., six, are used to hold theadd-on filters 12, and a programmable timer control device 58 isattached to the fan's electric cord 32. The unique feature of thestick-on brackets 56 is the flexible adjustment of the extension of thebracket 56 by having an adjustable position clamp arm 60 with a seriesof shallow notches 62 which is slidable through and frictionally engagesa boss 64 projecting from the rear face of a substantially flat, squarebase plate 63. The boss 64 is formed by four spaced apart, triangularwedge plates extending radially towards the corners of the base plate 63with a small square plate joining the upper vertices of the triangularplates at the four corners of the small square plate. The arm 60 has aright-angled bend 68 and ends in a square pad portion 70. The base plate63 has an adhesive coating, double-sided adhesive pad 66, or other meansfor adhesion to the fan 14 disposed on the front face of the base plate63. The stick-on brackets 56 are preferably made from a thermoplasticmaterial. In use, the base plates 66 of a plurality of brackets areadhered to the sides of the fan 14, a filter is placed between the padportion 70 and the fan 14, and the arms 60 are moved inward to clamp thefilter 12 against the fan.

[0043] If the fan 14 has clearance under its bottom surface 74 due topads or feet, several more stick-on brackets 56 can be added at thebottom surface 74 for better securement of the filter 12. If a secondfilter 12 is to be attached to the front of the fan 14, similar brackets56 can be utilized. The programmable timer control device 58 can be a 24hour and 7 day time clock device for activating and deactivating the fan14 at preselected times. The programmable timer 58 can be insertedinline with the cord 32 as shown, or may be built into the housing ofthe fan 14.

[0044] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limitedto the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and allembodiments within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:
 1. A fan filter system for square or round fans, comprising: asquare or round fan having a housing with front and rear sides; a firstperipheral bracket configured to fit said housing having a top openingand attached to the rear side; and a first filter inserted into saidbracket through the top opening for filtering air flowing through thefan.
 2. The fan filter system according to claim 1, including a secondperipheral bracket attached to the front side of the fan and a secondfilter inserted into the second peripheral bracket.
 3. The fan filtersystem according to claim 1, wherein the first filter is a pre-pleatedand pre-activated carbon filter.
 4. The fan filter system according toclaim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a side pocket adapted forinsertion of an odorizing or deodorizing agent.
 5. The fan filter systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the bracket is attached to the housing byhook and loop fastening strips.
 6. The fan filter system according toclaim 1, wherein the bracket is attached to the housing by clips.
 7. Thefan filter system according to claim 1, wherein the filter is apre-pleated and pre-activated carbon filter.
 8. The fan filter systemaccording to claim 1, further comprising a programmable 24 hour and 7day timer connected to the fan for operating the fan for programmableperiods of time.
 9. A fan filter system for square or round indoor fanswhich are electrically operated by an electrical line, comprising: a fanhaving a housing with a front side, a right lateral side, a left lateralside, a rear side and a bottom side; a plurality of brackets having anadjustable clearance, the brackets being attached to the right and leftlateral sides adjacent the front or rear side of the housing; and afirst filter inserted in said plurality of brackets.
 10. The fan filtersystem according to claim 9, wherein each of said brackets comprises abase plate and a right-angled clamp arm having a first end slidablethrough said base plate and a second end having a square pad forclamping the filter against the fan.
 11. The fan filter system accordingto claim 10, including a second filter attached to the side of the fanopposite the first filter.
 12. The fan filter system according to claim10, further comprising adhesive means for adhering the base plate to thehousing of the fan.
 13. The fan filter system according to claim 9,wherein the housing further comprises a side pocket for insertion of anodorizing or deodorizing agent.
 14. The fan filter system according toclaim 9, further comprising a programmable 24 hour and 7 day timerconnected to the fan for operating the fan for programmable periods oftime.
 15. The fan filter system according to claim 9, wherein the filteris a pre-pleated and pre-activated carbon filter.
 16. The fan filtersystem according to claim 9, further comprising a plurality ofright-angled adjustable brackets are disposed on the bottom side of thefan.
 17. An adjustable clamp, comprising: a substantially flat baseplate having a front face and a rear face; a boss projecting from therear face of said base plate, the boss defining a slot; a clamp armhaving an elongated first leg and a second leg, the first leg beingslidably inserted into and frictionally engaging the slot defined bysaid boss, the second leg having a clamp plate attached thereto, the armhaving a right angle bend defined between the first leg and the secondleg; and an adhesive coating disposed on the front face of said baseplate; whereby said base plate may be adhesively secured to a supportwith the clamp plate clamping an article to the support, the clamp beingadjustable to the articles width by moving the position of the clamp armin the slot.
 18. The adjustable clamp according to claim 17, wherein thefirst leg of said clamp arm has a plurality of grooves defined thereinfor locking the position of said clamp arm in said base plate.